Your air conditioner is a key factor in your comfort, so it’s only natural to want it to function properly at all times. However, it can be worrying to find that your air conditioner is experiencing some sort of issue. There’s a handful of common air conditioning problems that you might run into, but certain cleaning and maintenance practices can help prevent them from happening.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
The Problem
By reducing your unit’s efficiency and restricting airflow within the system, your air conditioner will be forced to work much harder to cool down your space. This can also increase the likelihood of experiencing breakdowns and malfunctions down the line due to the larger amount of wear and tear.
Finally, a dirty air filter won’t be able to perform its main purpose of removing impurities from the circulated air, potentially compromising indoor air quality.
How to Prevent it
Fortunately, many air conditioners nowadays come with washable air filters, making it much easier to look after this crucial component. After locating and removing the air filter from the air conditioner, just submerge it in some soapy water to loosen up the dirt and debris.
For any stubborn or hard-to-remove particles, use a clean cloth or sponge to gently scrub these away before letting the filter dry and returning it back to your unit.
Refrigerant Leaks
The Problem
With refrigerant being an integral substance within the cooling process of your air conditioner, a refrigerant leak will not only lead to inadequate cooling of your space but also push your air conditioner to consume much more energy just to maintain your preferred temperatures.
Refrigerant leaks can also cause potential compressor damage, while also damaging the surfaces surrounding your air conditioner.
How to Prevent it
The best way to prevent refrigerant leaks is to have your air conditioning system regularly inspected by a professional. A qualified HVAC technician will not only be able to check for refrigerant leaks but also ensure that your AC has proper refrigerant levels for optimal cooling.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
The Problem
If you find that your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly, then this may be due to frozen evaporator coils. Frozen evaporator coils are often caused by accumulated dirt and debris, which can prevent your unit from receiving enough air to function properly.
Because of this restricted airflow, the coils aren’t exposed to warm air and end up freezing. This means that the refrigerant within the coils won’t be able to absorb the heat from your home.
How to Prevent it
To stop your coils from freezing over, take the time to clean and maintain them regularly. After shutting down your unit and locating the evaporator coils, you can prepare a cleaning solution by combining some warm water and mild detergent in a bucket.
Then, you can use a soft-bristle brush or a coil cleaning brush to apply the solution and loosen up any dirt and grime before gently rinsing everything down with either a hose or a spray bottle.
Poor Airflow
The Problem
Poor air flow can obstruct your cooling experience and overall comfort. One of the main causes of this is a blocked-up vent, which can prevent the cooled air from adequately circulating in your space.
How to Prevent it
If you feel like the poor airflow is caused by blocked air vents, then remove the vent covers of your air conditioner after powering down your unit. Then, use your vacuum cleaner to remove all the loosened dust, dirt, and debris before preparing a soapy water-cleaning solution.
With either a soft brush or a sponge, scrub away any remaining grime from the air vents before rinsing everything off. Let the vents air dry completely before reinstalling.
Faulty Thermostat
The Problem
Your thermostat is meant to help you change the settings of your air conditioner more easily, which is what makes a faulty thermostat so inconvenient. A faulty thermostat will not only lead to inaccurate temperature readings but will also prevent you from adjusting the settings and operations of your unit.
How to Prevent it
If you have a battery-operated thermostat, the first thing you should do is always check on the batteries. It can also help to regularly clean your thermostat, especially important parts like sensors and contacts, to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating and disrupting its connection with your air conditioner. When cleaning, you can either use some compressed air to blow away impurities, or simply use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe it.
Your air conditioner is a significant financial investment that you want to keep around for as long as possible, and the best way to do this is with regular maintenance.
While there are some things that you can do to keep your air conditioner running, there are many issues that need professional attention. If you need one, visit https://www.luceaircon.sg/.
Also read: The Ultimate Factors When You Need to Replace Air Conditioner Filter
